Miami defense comes in 2nd half, Javarris James rushes for a TD in Hurricanes' 16-14 narrow win over Virginia Tech

NFL - Miami 16, Virginia Tech 14

November 14, 2008|By Shandel Richardson sentinel Staff Writer

MIAMI -- Last season was kind of one of those where the ball just didn't bounce the Miami Hurricanes' way.

Things this season are not only bouncing for them, but falling right into their hands.

The Hurricanes received a couple of friendly breaks and used a suffocating second-half defense to defeat Virginia Tech 16-14 Thursday at Dolphin Stadium.

It was the fifth consecutive win for UM (7-3) and keeps alive its hopes of playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. At 4-2 in league play, the Hurricanes are a half game ahead of North Carolina in the Coastal Division standings. If they win the final two games, they still need a UNC loss. The Tar Heels would win the tiebreaker based on a win against UM earlier this season.

"I think this is always a big game, the last game here [this season]," UM quarterback Robert Marve said. "It's a huge game in the ACC and our seniors are winning."

After finishing 5-7 a year ago and missing the postseason, the Hurricanes head to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech next Thursday as the league's hottest team. They remain on this winning streak only after finishing a game that seemed to go their way at the right times, starting with a lucky bounce in the fourth quarter that allowed UM to grab a two-possession lead.

With the Hurricanes leading 13-7 and facing a third down, receiver Aldarius Johnson caught a short pass from Marve near the Virginia Tech 20-yardline. Johnson was stripped by cornerback Victor Harris, but the ball hit the ground and ricocheted off a defender into the arms of UM receiver Kayne Farquharson. He ran 12 yards for a first down.

"The ball popped out and we always teach `scoop and score," Farquharson said. "So that was my thinking."

Instead of a turnover, UM took a nine-point lead on a 23-yard field goal by Matt Bosher. The advantage was more than enough for the Hurricanes' defense, which dominated the second half. It allowed just 250 yards, including only 59 after halftime. Virginia Tech (6-4, 3-3) rushed for 77 yards on 38 carries.

"(Stopping the run) was key to what we felt we had to do," UM Coach Randy Shannon said. "Coach (Frank) Beamer is always good at running the ball. We felt we had to make it a one-sided game."

Despite their offensive futility, the Hokies pulled within 16-14 when quarterback Tyrod Taylor scored on a 14-yard run with 3:28 remaining. They had one final possession, but the Hurricanes came up with yet another defensive stop. On fourth down, Taylor was sacked by defensive end Allen Bailey. Miami had six sacks, led by three from freshman defensive end Marcus Robinson.

"We've hit our stride at the right time," Bailey said. "Everybody is working on the right things and we're closing as a team."

With such a narrow margin, UM needed each one of its fortunate breaks. The first came late in the opening quarter when Marve fumbled inside the Virginia Tech 5-yardline. Despite several Hokies defenders around, receiver LaRon Byrd pounced on the ball.

Three plays later, Javarris James scored on a three-yard run to make it 7-0.

"I was scared," Marve said of the fumble. "All I saw were Virginia Tech players and Byrd kind of came out of nowhere and grabbed it."

Marve finished strong, leading the Hurricanes on three second-half drives that all ended with Bosher field goals. After splitting time with Jacory Harris, Marve played the entire second half. He passed for 121 yards while rushing for 65 yards on 14 carries.

"We're going to celebrate this win for the night," linebacker Sean Spence said. "And then it's time to move to Georgia Tech."